We all know that I didn’t love A Complete Unknown. I made my feelings clear from the beginning: the movie was a bore, but I did love Sylvie Russo and Joan Baez’ characters.
Yes, Monica Barbaro who plays Joan and Elle Fanning as Sylvie stole the show in more ways than just their acting. Every time Joan Baez took the stage alone (or alongside Dylan,) I wanted to wear her outfits.
What the movie perfectly executes is casual feminine style from the 1960’s. It didn’t show two women destined to to be fashion icons, but two women who were a sign of the fashion times. And luckily, vintage is very in right now.
A Little About Arianne Phillips’ Work In A Complete Unknown
In the film A Complete Unknown, costume designer Arianne Phillips meticulously recreates Bob Dylan’s iconic style, capturing his evolution from 1961 to 1965.
Phillips’ approach involved extensive research, including access to Columbia Records’ archives, to authentically depict Dylan’s transformation from a folk artist to a cultural icon. And while I’m not here to talk about Dylan’s clothes, it’s worth noting.
Timothée Chalamet, portraying Dylan, underwent 67 costume changes throughout the film, each reflecting a distinct phase in Dylan’s early career.
Initially, Chalamet dons outfits inspired by Woody Guthrie, featuring workwear and casual attire that mirror Dylan’s early influences. As the narrative progresses, the costumes transition to more sophisticated ensembles, including tailored suits and signature items like the green polka-dot shirt, symbolizing Dylan’s growing confidence and artistic maturity.
Phillips collaborated with Levi’s to recreate Dylan’s preferred jeans, ensuring authenticity in the denim pieces worn by Chalamet. This partnership extended to a capsule collection inspired by Dylan’s style during the film’s depicted era.
Footwear choices, such as Chelsea boots, were also integral, highlighting Dylan’s shift towards a more polished image.
The film’s wardrobe extends beyond Dylan, featuring characters like Johnny Cash and Joan Baez. Phillips revisited Cash’s style, emphasizing his lean frame and signature black attire, while Baez’s costumes reflect her modest yet distinctive fashion sense, including a recreated Mary Quant vinyl coat.
Phillips’ dedication to authenticity is further showcased in an exhibition at the ASU FIDM Museum in Los Angeles, displaying over 30 costumes from the film. This exhibition offers an immersive experience, highlighting the intricate design and historical accuracy of the wardrobe pieces.
And throughout the entire arduous film, I found myself wanting to dress like Sylvie Russo and Joan Baez. When Baez’ character strolled onstage in mid-length denim cutoffs, I knew this movie was going straight to my fashion Pinterest board.
So You Want To Dress Like Sylvie Russo and Joan Baez
If you watched A Complete Unknown with the same fervor for fashion that I did…fear not! I have found a few Joan Baez-inspired outfits and Sylvie Russo-esque silhouettes that will give you your fix of the sixties.
Whether you prefer a turtleneck like Russo or are impartial to a suede statement coat like Baez, I’ve found the best retro pieces so you, too, can feel like Bob Dylan’s muse. Here are my picks:
Afghan Coat
If you’re incensed by the style of the sixties, then an afghan coat is an absolute necessity. Think about Penny Lane in Almost Famous – to this day, people still aspire to own that exact jacket.
An afghan coat is a timeless classic that will give your wardrobe an edge. Let your jacket be your outfit’s statement, especially in the colder months where you want to wear as many layers as possible. Sylvie Russo is pictured in an iconic afghan in the film, and here are some similar pieces:
- ASOS Reclaimed Vintage brown longline leather look trench with faux fur collar
- Show Me Your Mumu Penny Lane Afghan Coat
Printed Pieces
What I really loved about the women’s fashion in this film was the emphasis on prints. While Baez is often wearing dynamic prints of paisley and plaid, Sylvie Russo is seen wearing common prints like stripes and monochromatic touches.
The best part about vintage looks like Baez and Russo was that they weren’t afraid to play with color, or prints, or textures. It was about experimenting with all different fabrics and seeing what they liked. Which is why paisley and other chaotic prints were so popularized.
Turtlenecks
One of the most common looks in the movie was a turtleneck. Whether they were layered underneath statement jackets, or worn by themselves, a turtleneck was a must-have in every vintage wardrobe.
Worn by both Sylvie Russo and Joan Baez in the film, we see a wide variety of turtlenecks throughout its entirety. Both comfortable and modest, the turtleneck is great for work, colder months, or just lounging around with your famous tortured artist boyfriend, Bob Dylan.
Jewel Tones
Rich tones like purples, reds, emerald green are riddled throughout the movie. As seen in the article title image, Baez is wearing a plethora of jewel tones on a turtleneck dress…which combines two of the major trends from the decade.
Especially during the winter when our skin is more pale, darker tones and warmer colors are favored over bright, vibrant colors. Here are some deeper tones that I love:
